Lathe headstock



G. E. GREENLEAF AND C. F. RANDOLPH.

LATHE HEADSTOCK.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9, 191a.

Patented July 11, 1922..

3 SHEETS SHEET 1.

fa ni -5 G. E. GREENLEAF AND C. F. RANDOLPH.

LATHE HEADSTOCK.

. APPLICATION Ell-ED NOV. 9, 1918. 1,422,098.

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G. E. GREENLEAF AND 0; F. RANDOLPH.

LATHE HEADSTOCK. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 9, I918- 1,2 2,09 8 Patented July 11 19252.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Fig.4.

GEORGE E. GREENLEAF AND CLIFFORD F. RANDOLPH. OF PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY,

ASSIGNORS TO NILES-BEMENT-POND COMPANY, OF NEW' YORK, N. Y., A CORPO- RATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Application filed November 9, 1918.

To all w/zom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE E. GREEN- LEAF and CLIFFORD F. RANDOLPH, citizens of the United States, residing at Plainfield, in the county of Union and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lathe Headstocks, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates particularly to improved gearing for lathe headstocks. One of the objects of the invention is to provide gearing which is simple in construction, which has many advantages in operation and maintenance, and which can be manufactured at less expense than other gearing which has been used or proposed for the.

same purpose. A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mecha nism for adjusting the gearing to secure different spindle speeds. Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved general arrangement of the parts whereby the main drive gearing for the spindle is enclosed in an oil-tight casing and whereby the secondary gearing, particularly the feed gearing, is exposed so that itcan be readily adjusted or changed. Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for turning the gearing or parts thereof to permit sliding engagement. Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specifi'cation and claims.

In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated the embodiment of the invention which we now deem preferable, but it will be understood that the drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention, the accompanying claims being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings:

Fig. l is a front view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a lathe headstock embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an outer end view.

Fig. 3 is an inner end view with the face plate removed and with the spindle shown in section.

Fig. t is a plan view of the lower part of the frame and of the gearing parts directly carried thereby.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view partly in section along the line 55 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary detail views Specification of Letters Patent.

the bed of the lathe.

LATHE HEADSTOCK.

Patented July 11, 1922.

Serial No. 261,780.

showing a part of the gear shifting mechanism in two different positions.

Fig. 8 1s a fragmentary detail view of another part of the gear shifting mechanism.

Referring to the drawingsl represents Mounted upon this bed in the usual manner is a lathe headstock which comprises a frame having lower and upper sections 2 and 3 respectively. The headstock frame is preferably constructed in the form of a casing or housing having imperforate external walls which enclose the ma or portions of the gearing and other moving parts.

The main spindle of the lathe is indicated at 4 and this is mounted in bearings 5 and 6 at the inner and outer ends respectively of the lowersect-ion 2 of the frame. Preferably the bearings 5 and 6 are provided respectively with caps 5 and 6 which extend above the lower section of the frame into recesses formed in the walls of the upper section. A drive shaft 7 and two counter shafts 8 and 9 are mounted in the headstock frame. These shafts are all parallel with the spindle and each of them is mounted in bearings which hold its axis in fixed posi tion. The-arrangement of these shafts may vary somewhat but we prefer the arrange ment which is illustrated. The drive shaft 7 is mounted in the upper section of the frame, there being two bearings 10 and 11 located inside the frame and a bearing 12 located at the outer end of the frame. The shaft 7 preferably projects out through the end of the bearing 12 for a purpose to be presently set forth. The first countershaft 8 is mounted in the lower section of the frame, there being one bearing 13 located at the inner end of the frame, a bearing 13 inside of the frame and a bearing 14 at the outer end of the frame. The second countershaft 9 is also mounted in the lower section of the frame, there being one bearing 15 inside of the frame and a bearing 16 at the inner end thereof.

The drive shaft 7 can be rotated in any usual or preferred way. For purposes of illustration we have shown an electric m0-v frame 20 which is preferably in the form of a casing or housing which encloses the gear- "'Tnterposed betweenthe drive shaft? and the first countershaft 8 is a multiple-speed change-gear connection preferably of the sliding-gear type as shown in the drawing. This connection can be varied as concerns the number of speeds provided and as concerns the various details. When the connection is constructed in the preferred way we provide for two speeds. Bigidly secured tothe shaft? are two differently .diametered gears 21 and 22. Slidably mounted on the countershaft 8 are two differently diametered gears23 and24 adapted to mesh respectively with the gears 21 and 22. The gears 23 and 24 aremovable in unison and Ican be positioned either with the gears 21 and 23 finme'sh, as illustrated, or with the gears 22 and 24 inmesh. It willbe seen that theshaft8 can be driven at either of two speeds in accordance with which set ofgears is in mesh. I

Mounted respectively on the'first countershaft 8 and on the spindle 4 are two gears 25 andf26 adapted to mesh with each other.

One'of these gears is longitudinally slidable so that it can be moved into or out of mesh witli'the other gear. Preferably the gear 25 on the countershaft is the one which is slidfa'bly mounted, the gear 26 on the spindle being rigidly secured thereto. When the 25 is in mesh with the gear 26 power {is transmitted from the drive shaft 7 through the countershaft 8 to rotate the spindle at either oftwo speeds, depending on the adjustment of the sliding gear connection. lVith the gear 25 out of mesh with the gear 26, as illustrated, the shaft 8 is free to rotate without driving the spindle by means ofthe gear 26. i

Mounted respectively onthe first and second countershafts 8 and 9 are two gears 27 and,28 which are adapted to mesh withv each other. Preferably one of the gears is longitudinally slidable into or out of mesh with the other. this preferably'being the gear 28 on the shaft 9. [Carried by the spindle 4 at its front end is a face plate 29 which can be any usual or preferred ctnistruction. Secured to or formed "as a part of this face plate is a large drive gear 30 which isfpref- "e fabl an internal annular gear. At the front end of the second countershaft Sis a pinion 31 which is adapted to mesh with the gear 30 but which is longitudinally movable 'into or 'out of inesh'therewith. By preference the pinion 31 is rigidly secured to or informed a part ofthe countershafti) and the entire countershaft is movab e longitudiln'ally to bring thepinion 31 into or out of :mesh with gear 30. Preferably the gear s 'alsoi gidly secured to the countershaft9 so t-hatit and the pinion 31. are simultaneously engaged with or disengaged from the gears 27 and 30 respectively. As illustrated, the pinion 311s formed integrally 'withrthe shaft 9. the diameter of the shaft and thence to the spindle by means of the face plate gear lVhen the countershaft 9 and the face plate gear 30 are in use the speed ratio between the spindle and the gear 8 is much less than when the gear 26 is in use. l nasmuch as the countershaft- 8 can be rotated at two speeds, as before described, it will be obvious that by adjusting the gearing the spindle can be driven from the drive shaft 7 at any one of four speeds. Preferably the motor 17 is of the variable-speed type and by means of the motor additional variations in speed can be secured.

It is obvious that the gears 25 and 26 and the gears 31 and 30 should not be engagedat the sametime, and we therefore provide interlocking means for preventing'such simultaneous engagement. The interlocking means preferably constitutes a part of the mechanism which is also'used for shifting .the gears. As illustrated, the gear 25 is profront end with a hand lever 39 by means of which it may be moved. Secured to the shaft 38 is a disk 40 having'spur gear teeth 41 along a part of its circumference. These teeth 41' are adapted to mesh either with teeth 42 on the rod 37 or with teeth 43 on the rod 34., The disk 40 is also provided with a cylindrical surface 44 with a radius less than that of the teeth at the outside. The rod 34 is provided with a curved recess 45 adapted to receive the cylindrical part 44 of the disk, and the rod 37 is provided with a similar recess 46 adapted to receive the said part 4-4. As illustrated in Fig.6, the gearteeth 41 are in mesh with the gear teeth 42 and the cylindrical part 44 of the disk is seated in the recess 45 of the rod 34. It will be seen that with the parts in this position the rod 34 islocked against'longitudi -nal movement, thus holding the gear 25 against longitudinal movement. The rod 37 is in position to hold the pinion 31 in mesh with the gear 30,. It will be seen. however, that by turning the lever in the clockwise direction, the rod 37 can be moved toward the left to withd aw the pinion 31 from the gear 30. Continued movement of the lever and of the disk 40 in the clockwise direction will cause the part 44 of the disk to enter the recess 4-6 in the rod 37, as illustrated in Fig. 7. This locks the rod 3? against further movement in either direction. thus holding the pinion 31 out of mesh with the gear 30. At the same time the teeth 4:]. will come into engagement with the teeth 43 of the rod 34, thus moving the rod toward the right and sliding the gear 25 into mesh with the gear 26. lVhen the lever 39 is moved in the counter-clockwise direction the above descril ed series of steps is reversed. Means are provided whereby the lever can be held either in the right-hand position shown or in the opposite left-hand position. 7

Suitable mechanism is provided for sliding the gears 23 and 24., and preferably this is associated with the mechanism described above for sliding the other gears. Connected with the gears 23 and 24: is an annularly grooved collar 47 in which fits an arm 4-8 on a longitudinally movable rod 49. This rod is provided with gear teeth 50 which mesh with similar teeth formed on a gear segment 51. The gear segment is secured to a sleeve 52 which surrounds the above mentioned shaft 38. At the front end of the sleeve is a lever by means of which the sleeve and the gear segment may be turned, thereby sliding the rod 49 and the gears 23 and 2-1. By moving the lever 53 inone direction or the other, either set of gears can be brought into operation. Means are provided whereby thelever can be secured in either of its extreme operative positions. It will be seen that the two gear shifting levers and 53 are rotatable about a common axis, thus adding to the simplicity and convenience of the machine.

Lathe headstocks as heretofore constructed have commonly included a countershaft, with back gearing thereon, mounted for bodily movement transversely of the headstock. Usually this transverse movement has been made possible by mounting the shaft in eccentric bearings which were capable of being turned. For one position of the countershaft the back gears would mesh with other gears and for the other position the back gears would be out of mesh. It has'also been common in lathes of this type to construct one of the power transmitting shafts in the form of a sleeve or bushing surrounding the spindle and independently rotatable thereon. By our present construction we avoid the diihculties and much of the expense associated with these two features of construction. All of the shafts and gears are mounted for rotation about fixed axes. thus avoiding the complexity of movable bearings. and each shaft is positioned for rotation about its own axis, thus making it possible to provide each of them with simple independent bearings. In case of necessary repair or inspection, any shaft can be removed without removing any other shaft from its bearings. It will be noted that the drive shaft is mounted in the upper section of the frame and that the entire upper section, together with the drive shaft and the gears thereon, can be removed simply by loosening the bolts which connect the upper section to the lower section. The spindle can then be removed by taking off the bearing caps 5 and 6 The countershafts 8 and 9 can be removed through the bearing openings at the front end of the frame.

It will be further observed that we attain the maximum of simplicity by providing sliding gear connections for effecting changes in the speed ratio and that we entirely eliminate separate clutches such as have heretofore been used for this purpose in headstock drives. In earlier constructions use has been made of separate bars thrust into apertures in the gear hubs for the purpose of shifting them longitudinally. In our construction, weprovide gear shifting levers which are permanent parts of the headstock, and these levers are so arranged as to enable the gears to be shifted conveniently and without delay.

As stated above. the headstock frame is preferably in the form of acasing or housing which surrounds most of the gearing and other moving parts. It will be seen that thereare no exposed apertures in the ends of the casing except those at the hearings and these apertures are closed by the respective shafts. At the front of the casing the only aperture is that for the sleeve 52 and shaft 38. this aperture being of course closed by the said parts. It is therefore impossible for dirt and dust to have access to the operative parts of the machine and the oil which is used for lubrication is confined within the casing, thuspreventing waste and eliminating oily accumulations on the exterior of the machine. lVe provide means for circulating the oil which is used for lubrication this oil being withdrawn from the bottom of the casing and delivered to an oil reservoir preferably located in the auxiliary frame 20. From the'reservoir the oil is distributed in any usual or preferred way, but by preference we use a lubricating system such as set forth in the patent granted to George E. Greenleaf for lubricating system for lathe headstocks, 1342,90 l. dated June 8, 1920. For supplying oil to the reservoir 54: we provide a power actuated'pump, and in order that this pump may be readily wheel 64he can move necessary. It should be noted that it is necaccessible for inspection and adjustmentwe locate it on the outside of the main frame cas ing. As illustrated, particularly in Fig. 2, the pump is represented .by 5.5 and is of the plunger type, being operated by a connecting rod 56 and an eccentric 57 near the outer end of the shaft 7. The inlet to the pump is through a pipe ,58 which leads from thebottom of the casing, and the outlet is through a pipe 59 which discharges into the reservoir .54.

It frequently happens that difiiculty is experienced in effecting the engagement of one gear with another due to the fact that the teeth are exactly in alinement. In order to facilitate the engagement of the gears under such circumstances, we preferably provide means whereby one of the gears may be turned manuallythrough a small angle. The means which we prefer for this purpose is associated with the drive shaft 7. As illus= trated,the drive shaft is provided at its end with a bevel gear 60. Mounted in a suitable bearing bracket 61 on the upper section of the main frame is a transverse horizontal shaft 62 which is slidableendwise. This shaft carries at its rear end a: bevel gear 63 which is adapted to mesh with the bevel gear 60. At thefrontend of the shaft62 is a smooth'handwheel 64 by means of which the shaft may be turned. It will be seen that whenthe bevel gears'63 and are engaged the operator, by turning the-hand wheel 64 can turn the shaft 7 and thus turn all of the gears that are mounted on or connected with the said shaft. Obviously it is necessary to turn-the gears only through a very small angle to enable meshing to take place.

In order thatthe shaft 62 and the hand wheel 64 may not rotate continuously when the lathe is in operation weprovide a spring 65 which surrounds the shaft 62-and tends to move it forward, thusdisengaging the bevel gear 63 from the bevel gear 60. Preferably also the end of the bracket 61 is beveled and the shaft 62 is provided with a pin 66 adapted tomesh with the beveled or camlike surface. When the pin-66 isopposite thelow part of the cam the operator can move the shaft '62 rearward against the resistance of the spring, thus engaging the bevel gears. Then by turning the hand the gearing as may be essary to turn thegears only through a very small angle to enable the desired meshing of the sliding gears totake place and therefore in operation, the pin 66 will need to pass overonly a very small portion of the lower part of the cam to perform its function. When the hand wheel is released the spring 65 operates to separate the bevel gear 63 from the bevel gear 60. The camsurface at the endof the bearing and the-pin 61 serve as ,a safety means to insure the movement of te m the shaft and bevel gearforward in case of failure of the spring. If the shaft 7 is in rotation or starts to rotate while the bevel gears are engaged, the resultant turning of the shaft 62 will cause the pin 66 to ride up on the cam surface, thus positively forcing the shaft outward and disengaging the bevel gear 63.

The main gearing fordriving'the spindle is for the most part enclosed in the main frame casing, this arrangement serving to protect the gearing and to insure proper lubrication thereof. The feed gearing, however, mustbe frequently inspected and adjusted, and we therefore mount this entirely on the out side of the casing. This enables us to secure access to any part of the feed gearing without the necessity of removing any parts of the main casing and without sacrificing the advantages of a closed main casing. The feed gearing is driven from the main spindle 4, there being provided for this purpose a gear 67 secured to'the spindle near the outer end on the outside of the casing. We provide a thrust bearing for the'spindle which is also located on the'outside of the casing where it is readily accessible for inspection and lubrication. This-bearing consists of a bracket 68 which is secured to the lower section ofthe main frame by means of bolts 69 69. Interposed between the bracket 68 and the end of the spindle is a suitable thrust collar 70 together with associated parts which need not be described in detail as they of themselves constitute no art of the invention. It-willbe observed that the bracket 68 is constructed to bridge over andpartly surround the gear 67. In this way we are able to secure the advantages incident to having both the thrust bearing and the initial feed gear on the outside of the casing.

The gear 67 meshes with an idler gear 71 mounted on a stud 72. The gear 71 in turn meshes with an idler gear73 on a shaft 74. Pivotally mounted on the shaft 74 is, an ad justable slotted link 75. A gear 76 is also mounted on the shaft ;'74 and this meshes with agear 77 on a stud 78 which is adjustably mounted in the slot of thelink 75. The gear 77 meshes with a gear 7 9 on a drive shaft 80 of a change-speed mechanism 81. It will be seen that the speed ratio between the drive gear 67 and the shaft 80 can be changed by removing one or more of the gears 76, 77 and 79 and substituting others of different diameters. The stud 78 can be moved along thelink and the link as a whole can be swung to enable the differently diam- .etered' gears to properly mesh. Bolts 82, 82 are provided for holding the link in adjusted position.

The change-speed mechanism includes a frameor casing which is secured to the bed .1, the "bed preferably [being recessed, as

shown at 83, to receive a part of the mechanism. The change-speed mechanism 81 includes a shaft 84 parallel with the shaft 80, which is in alinement with and is directly connected to the main feed. shaft or screw 85 of the lathe. Loosely mounted on the shaft 84 are two differently diametered gears 8c and 87 and mounted on the shaft 80 are two differently diametered gears 88 and 89. The gears 87 and 88 are arranged to permanently mesh with each other. Splined on the shaft 80 is a gear 90 which is adapted to mesh with the gear 86 on the shaft 84:. The gear 90 carries clutch teeth adapted to mesh with similar teeth connected with the gears 88 and 89. The gear 90 can be moved by means of a lever 91 which is adapted to be operated by a hand lever 92. Splined on the shaft 84 is a gear 93 adapted to mesh with the gear 89 and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with similarc-lutch teeth connected with the gears 87 and 86. The gear 53 can be moved by means of alever 94- adapted. to be operated by a hand lever 95. lVith the parts in the position shown, power will be transmitted from the gear 90 through the gears 86, S7, 88 and 89 to the gear 93 which rotates the shaft 84 and the feed screw 85. If the gear 90 be moved toward the right it is disengaged from the gear 86 and becomes directly connected with the gears 88 and 89. The gear 89 is thus directly driven and the speed of rotation of the shaft 84 is increased. If the gear 93 be moved toward the left it is disengaged from the gear 89 and becomes directly connected with the gears 87 and 86. lVit-h this arrangement the drive is similar to that last 'above referred to except that the drive is through the gears 88 and 87, instead of the gears 88 and 93. It will be seen that with the mechanism shown, any one of four speed ratios can be obtained in the gear box.

The closed casing which we have shown and described enables us to retain the oil which is used for lubricating the bearings and the gears. and further enables us to protect the gearing and other parts from dust and dirt. Notwithstanding the closed casing the several parts can be readily removed, as already stated. While securing the several advantages incident to a closed casing surrounding the main gearing, we nevertheless avoid the disadvantages which would be incident to enclosing the reed gearing. This feed gearing is placed entirely on the outside of the casing which encloses the main gearing. and it is therefore accessible for inspection and adjustment. The changespeed mechanism which drives the feed shaftconstitutes a distinct unit and is readily accessible. It can be easily detached from the machine for inspection or repair without disturbing the other parts of the machine.

What we claim is:

1. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, two shafts parallel with the spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, a driving connection between the first shaft and spindle comprising two companion gears mounted respectively thereon, the driving connection between such gears being adapted to be disengaged, a driving connection between the two shafts comprising two companion gears mounted respectively thereon, a face plate gear carried by the spindle, and a second gear on the second shaft slidable axially into and out of mesh with the face plate gear.

2. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, two shafts parallel with the spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, two companion gears mounted respectively on the spindle and on the first shaft, one of them being slidable axially into or out of mesh with the other, two companion gears mounted respectively on the two shafts, a face plate gear carried by the spindle, and a second gear carried on the second shaft slidable into and out of mesh with the face plate gear.

3. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, two shafts parallel with the spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, two companion gears mounted respectively on the spindle and on the first shaft, one of them being slidable axially into and out of mesh with the other, two companion ears mounted respectively on the two shafts, a face plate gear carried by the spindle, a second gear on the second shaft adapted to mesh with the face plate gear, and means for sliding the second shaft longitudinally to bring either of the gears thereon into mesh with its companion gear and to bring the other gear out of mesh with its companion gear.

4:. In a' lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, two shafts parallel with the spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, two companion gears mounted respectively on the two shafts, two companion gears mounted respectively on the spindle and on the first shaft, one of them being slidable into or out of mesh with the other. a face plate gear carried by the spindle, a gear on the second shaft slidable axially into or out of mesh with the face plate gear, and interlocking means for preventing simultaneous meshing of the gears of the last two said sets.

5. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, two shafts parallel with the spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, two companion gears mounted respectively on the two shafts, two companion gears mounted respectively on the spindle and on the first shaft, one of them being slidable axially into or out of mesh with the other,

Y axially into or on a face plate gear carried by the spindle, a second gear on the second shaft slidable axially into or out of mesh with the face plate gear, and gear shifting mechanism including a hand lever adapted by a single continuous movement to slide a gear of the last two said sets into mesh with its companion and to slide a gear of the other set out of mesh with its companion.

6. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, a drive shaft and two countershafts parallel with the spindle and'each rotatable about a fixed axis, a multiplespeed change-gear driving connection between the drive shaft-and the first countershaft, a gear connection between the spindle and the first countei'sliaft, such connection being adapted to be disconnected, a gearconnection between the two countershafts, and a gear connection between the spindle face plate and the second eountershaft, said last two connections being adapted to be disconnected.

a 7. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, a drive shaft and two countershafts parallel with the spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, a multiplespeed sliding-gear connection between the driving shaft and the first countershaft, two companion gears mounted respectively on the spindle and on the first countershaft, one

ofthem being slidable axiallyinto or out of mesh with the other, two companion gears mounted respectively on the two countershafts, a face plate gear carried by'the spindle, and a second gear on the second countershaft slidable axially into or out of mesh with the face plate gear.

'8. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, adrive shaft and two countershafts'p'arallel withthe spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, a multiplespeed gear connection between the driving shaft and the first countershaft' including sliding gears on the countershaft, two companion gears' mounted respectively on the spindle and on the first countershaft', the gear on the countershaft being slidable axially into or out of mesh with the gear on the-spindle, two companion gears mounted respectively on thetwo countershafts, a face plate gearcarried by the spindle, and a second'gea-r on the second t of mesh with the face plate gear. 1 I

9. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, a drive shaft and two countershafts parallel with the spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, a multiplespeed sliding-gear connection between the driving shaft and the first countershaft, two companion. gears mounted respectively on the spindle and one of them being slidable axially into or out of mesh with the other, two companion countershaft slidable on the first countershaft,

gears mounted respectively on the two countershafts, one of them being slidable axially into or out of mesh with the other, a face plate gear carried by the spindle, and a second gear on the second countershaft slidable axially into or out of mesh with the face plate gear.

10. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, a drive shaft and two countersh'afts parallel with the spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, a multiple speed sliding-gear connection between the driving shaft and the first countershaft, two companion gears mounted respectively on the-spindleandon the first countershaft, one of them being slidable axially into or out of mesh with the other, two companion gears mountedrespectively on the two countershafts, a face plate gear carried by the spindle, a second gear on the second countershaft adapted to mesh with the face plate gear, and means for sliding the second counter-shaft longitudinally to bring either of the gears thereon into mesh with its companion gear'and to bring the other gear out of mesh with its companion gear.

11. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, a drive shaft and two countershafts parallel with the spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, multiple-speed sliding-gear connection between the driving shaft and the first countershaft, two companion gears mounted respectively on the two counter-shafts, two companion gears mounted respectively on'the spindle and on the first countershaft, one of them being slidable axially into or out of mesh with the other, a face plate gear carried by the spindle, a gear on the second countershaft slidable axially'into or out of mesh with the face plate gear, and interlocking means for preventing simultaneous meshing of the gears to the last two said sets.

12. Ina lathe headstock the combination of a spindle, a drive shaft and two countershafts parallel with the spindle, and each rotatable about a fixed axis, a multiple-speed gear connection between the driving shaft and the first countershaft' including sliding gears on theeounte'rshaft,two companion gears mounted respectively on the two 'cou'nter'shafts, two companion gears mounted respectively on the spindle and on the first 'countershaft, the "gear on the countershaft being slidable axially into or out of mesh with the gear on the spindle, a face plate gear carried by the spindle, a second gear on the second countershaft adapted to mesh with the face plate gear, means for sliding the second countershaft longitudinally to bring either of the gears thereon into mesh with its companion gear and to bring the other gear out of --1'nesh with its companion gear, and interlocl:ingi

means for preventing the simultaneous meshing of the gear on the first countershaft With the spindle gear and of the gear on the second countershaft with the face plate gear.

13. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, a drive shaft and two countershafts parallel with the spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, a multiple-speed sliding-gear connection between the driving shaft and the first countershaft, two companion gears mounted respectively on the two countershafts, two companion gears mounted respectively on the spindle and on the first countershaft, one of them being slidable axially into or out of mesh with the other, a faceplate gear carried by the spindle, a secon gear on the second countershaft slidable axially into or out of mesh with the face plate gear, and gear shifting mechanism including a hand lever adapted by a single continuous movement to slide a gear of either of the last two said sets into mesh with its companion and to slide a gear of the other set out of mesh with its companion. 7

14. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, a drive shaft and two countershafts parallel with the spindle and each rotatable about a fixed axis, a multiplespeed sliding-gear connection between the driving shaft and the first countershaft, two companion gears mounted respectively on the two countershafts, two companion gears mounted respectively on the spindle and on the first countershaft, one of them being slidable axially into or out of mesh with the other, a face plate gear carried by the spindle, a second gear on the second countershaft slidable axially into,or out of mesh with the face plate gear, and shifting mechanism for all of the slidable gears including a plurality of hand levers all movable about the same axis.

15. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, a drive shaft and two countershafts parallel with the spindle and each. rotatable about a fixed axis, a multiple-speed sliding-gear connection between the driving shaft and the first countershaft, two companion gears mounted respectively on the two countershaft-s, two companion gears mounted respectively on the spindle and on the first countershaft, one of them being slidable axially into or out of mesh with the other, a face plate gear carried by the spindle, a second gear on the second countershaft slidable axially into or out of'mesh with the face plate gear, and gear shifting mechanism including two levers movable about the same axis, means'operal'ile by one lever for adjusting the multiple-speed connection and means operable by the other lever for sliding a gear of either of the last two said sets into mesh with its companion and for sliding a gear of the other set out of mesh with its companion.

16. In a lathe headstock, an improved tool feeding mechanism comprising the combination of a spindle, driving mer'hanism therefor, a combined frame and casing serving to retain oil and exclude dirt, feed gearing mounted at the outer end of said frame and easing entirely outside thereof, the initial element of said feed gearing being mounted on the spindle near the outer end thereof outside of the said casing, and a feed shaft adapted to be driven by the feed gearing, the said feed gearing comprising two parallel shafts each having three gears thereon, the position of one gear on each shaft of which may be suitably varied whereby four different speeds may be given to the said feed shaft.

17. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, drive mechanism for the spindle, a combined frame and easing serving to support the said spindle and drive mechanism and serving to enclose the major portions thereof to retain oil and exclude dirt. feed gearing mounted at the outer cud of the said frame and casing entirely outside thereof, the initial element of the said gearing being mounted on the spindle near the outer end thereof outside of the casing. a thrust bearing for the spindle at the outer end thereof outside of the said initial element of the gearing, and means for securing the bearing to the frame.

18. In a lathe headstock, an improved tool feeding mechanism comprising the combination of a spindle, drive mechanism therefor, a combined frame and casing serving to support the said spindle and driving mechanism and serving to enclose the major portions thereof to retain oil and exclude dirt, a bed supporting the frame and having a recess at the front outer corner thereof, feed gearing mounted at the outer end of said frame and casing entirely outside thereof, the initial element of said feed gearing being mounted on the spindle near the outer end thereof outside of said casing, a feed shaft extending longitudinally of the bed at the front thereof, change speed mechanism positioned in the recessin the bed and serving to connect the feed gearing with said feed shaft, a speedchange box enclosing the said gearing, and two hand levers on the front of said box engaging said gearing whereby one ,of the speed gears on each shaft may be shifted longitudinally to give a plurality of different speeds to said feed shaft.

19. In a lathe headstock, tool feeding mechanism comprising the combination of'a spindle, drive mechanism therefor, a combined frame and casing serv ing to support the said spindle and drive mechanism and serving to enclose the major portions thereof to retain oil and to exclude dirt, a bed supporting the frame, feed an improved gearing mounted at the outer end of the said frame and easing entirely outside thereof, the initial element of said gearing being mounted on said casing, a feed shaft extending longitudinally of the bed at the front thereof, and a sliding gear change speed mechanism comprising a pair of parallel shafts having a plurality of gears thereon connecting the feed gearing with the feed shaft, one of said shafts being directly connected to and in alignment with said feed shaft.

20. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle or shaft, a drive shaft, multiplespeed toothed change-gear power transmitting mechanism between the drive shaft and the spindle, a frame serving to support the said spindle, the drive shaft and the power transmitting mechanism, a gear on one of the above mentioned shafts, a manually rotatable shaft angularly positioned relative to the said shaft, and a gear on the manually rotatable shaft adapted to mesh with the above mentioned gear whereby the said shaft may be rotated to bring the cooperating teeth of the change-gear mechanism into meshing position, the manually rotatable shaft being adapted to be moved'to disengage the said gears.

21. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle or shaft, a drive shaft, multiplespeed toothed change-gear power transmitting mechanism between the drive shaft and the spindle, a frame serving to support the said spindle, the drive shaft and the power transmitting mechanism, a gear on one of the above mentioned shafts, a manually rotatable shaft angularly positioned relative to the said shaft, a gear on the manually rotatable shaft adapted to mesh with the above mentioned gear whereby the said shaft may be rotated to bring the coop erating teeth of the change-gear-mechanism into meshing position, and a spring normally serving to move the manually rotatable shaft to hold the said gears disengaged. 22. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle or shaft, a drive shaft, multiplespeed toothed change-gear powertransmitting mechanism between the drive shaft and the spindle, a frame serving to support the said spindle, the drive shaft and the power transmitting mechanism, a gear on one of the above mentioned shafts, a manually rotatable shaft angularly positioned relative to the said shaft, a gear on the manually rotatable shaft adapted to mesh with the above mentioned gear whereby thesaidshaft may be rotated to bring the cooperating teeth of the change-gear mechanism into meshing position, a pin carried bythe manually r0- tatable shaft, and a cam adaptedwhen the shaft is turned to cooperate with the pin to move the manually-rotatable shaft longitudinally and thus disengage the gears.

23. In a. lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, a drive shaft, multiple-speed sliding-gear power transmitting mechanism between the drive shaft and the spindle, a frame serving to support the said spindle the shaft and the power transmitting mechanism, a bevel gear on the drive shaft, a manually rotatable shaft angularly positioned relative to the drive shaft, a bevel gear on adapted to mesh with the gear on the drive shaft, and a spring normally serving to move the manually rotatable shaft longitudinally and thus separate the bevel gears.

24. Ina lathe headstock, the combination a spindle, a drive shaft, multiple-speed sliding-gear power transmitting mechanism between the drive shaft and the spindle, a frame serving to support the said spindle, shaft and power transmitting mechanism, a bevel gear on the drive shaft, a manually rotatable shaft angularly positioned relative to the drive shaft, a bevel gear on the manually rotatable shaft adapted to mesh with the gear on the drive shaft, a pin carried by the manually rotatable shaft, and a cam adapted when the shaft is'turned to cooperate with the pin to move the manually rotatable shaft longitudinally and thus separate the bevel gears. I

25. In a lathe headstock, the combination of a spindle, a drive shalt;multiple-speed sliding-gear power transmitting mechanism between the drive shaft and the spindle, a frame serving to support the said spindle the shaft and the power transmitting mechanism, a bevel gear on the drive shaft, a manually rotatable shaft angularly positioned relative to the drive shaft, a bevel gear on the manually rotatable shaft adapted to mesh with the gear on the drive shaft, a spring normally serving to move the manually operable shaft longitudinally, a pin. carried by the manually; rotatable shaft, and a cam adapted when the shaft is turned to cooperate with the pinto move the manually rotatable shaft longitudinally, the said spring and cam acting in the same direction thus insuring the separation of the bevel gears.

In testimony whereof, we hereto affiX our signatures.

GEORGE E. GR-EENLEAF. CLIFFORD F. RANDOLPHL the manually rotatable shaft: 

